Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving Yourself for us. Now, as we gather round the table, as we re-enact the story of Your sacrifice, remind us again of what it means for us to be Your body, together, for others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Key Scripture:
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
And when I come I will give further direction
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
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1 Corinthians 11:17–34 examines the true meaning of communion and how the church gathers, beginning with Paul berating the Corinthians for the way they celebrate communion. Just as someone may have all the Lego pieces necessary to make a model but fail to put them together correctly, Paul tells the Corinthians that they are failing to tell the right story because they have “all the pieces” needed to celebrate a communion that honours Jesus and His church body yet are arranging those pieces incorrectly. Although the Corinthians had all the outward elements — gatherings, meals, prayers, bread, and cups — their meetings did more harm than good because they mirrored Roman societal divisions by segregating the wealthy in dining rooms separate from the poor and enslaved.
Paul argues that taking communion in an "unworthy manner" is not about individual moral perfection but about acting in a divided manner and humiliating the vulnerable. Instead of signalling social hierarchy, as the Corinthians were doing, the communion table should proclaim God's impartial grace to all, mirroring the liberation of the Passover exodus.
True communion involves two vital actions: remembering Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and re-membering His people as a unified body: no one shunned because all are welcomed to the table together. Believers cannot celebrate Christ's broken body (symbolised by the bread) while ignoring or mistreating the people sitting right beside them (the church as Christ’s body on earth). Ultimately, the sermon challenges communities to overcome social barriers, practice radical hospitality, and embody Jesus's love as His hands and feet in the world.
Discussion Guide:
Opening the Discussion
Share a memorable experience of sitting around a dinner table with a diverse group of people. What made that meal feel special or welcoming?
When you think of "communion" or "the Lord’s Supper," what memories or associations usually come to mind for you?
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
All the Pieces, Wrong Story: The Corinthians had all the outward elements of church—the gathering, bread, cup, and prayers—yet their meetings did "more harm than good" because their practices reproduced social inequality, division, and status hierarchy.
The Table Proclaims Grace, Not Status: In first-century Roman homes, the wealthy sat in the private dining room (triclinium) while the poor and enslaved were relegated to the outer courtyard (atrium). Paul confronted the church for bringing these worldly divisions into the Lord's Supper, reminding them that God's grace extends to all without favouritism: to rich and poor, slave and free.
Unworthiness vs. Discerning the Body: Taking communion in an "unworthy manner" is not about personal moral perfection; it is about taking the meal in a way that divides, excludes, or humiliates others. Recognising your unworthiness should draw you toward the table, not drive you away.
Remembering and Re-membering:
Remembering: Bringing the reality of Christ’s self-giving sacrifice on the cross into our present experience.
Re-membering: Uniting the scattered, broken pieces of the community into the unified hands and feet of Christ in the world today.
Scripture & Sermon Reflection Questions
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17–22.
Why was Paul so frustrated with the Corinthian church? How were their private suppers actively harming and humiliating others?
In what subtle ways can modern church community gatherings inadvertently reflect worldly hierarchies, status, or social cliques?
Read 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.
Jesus instituted the supper during the Passover meal, which remembered God rescuing His people from slavery. How does Jesus’ death accomplish a "new exodus" for us?
What story does the bread and the cup tell about God's grace?
Read 1 Corinthians 11:27–34.
How does Paul’s call to "examine oneself" and "discern the body" shift our focus from individual performance to community harmony?
What is the difference between remembering Jesus’ death and being re-membered as His body together?
Practice:
Individual Practices
Examine Everyday Hospitality: Look closely at your social circles and everyday meal routines. Who is routinely invited into your home or to your lunch table, and who is overlooked or absent?
Pre-Communion Self-Check: Before taking communion at church, take a moment to pray: "Lord, show me if I am holding division, status, or prejudice against anyone in Christ’s body."
Communal Practice
Share a meal together, with communion as part of the meal (whether before, during or after).
Additional Resources:
For a printable version of this guide click here.